Home > TESOL residential courses > Vietnam > Ho Chi Minh City

TEFL International’s course in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) is a fantastic choice for earning your certification to teaching English. Jobs are plentiful in Vietnam, Asia and the rest of the world if you wish to travel beyond local borders after the course.

HCMC is the biggest and most vibrant city in Vietnam. Some still refer to it as Saigon but regardless of what it’s called, both the city, and our course will not disappoint you. Take leisurely strolls down neighborhood streets and you’ll find a plethora of tea shops, cafes, markets and canals—not to mention, a bustling population unlike anywhere else in the world.

HCMC has a recent and world-famous past so an abundance of attractions await anyone who takes our course. Visit the Historical Museum with artifacts ranging from the Bronze Age up until the days of Ho Chi Minh himself. Ben Thanh Market is the largest in the city and you can walk through it just as the locals have done for decades. Visit the War Crime Museum to catch up on exhibits dedicated to victims of both American and Vietnamese war crimes. It also houses an array of military artifacts dating back to the time of the French colonialists. And don’t forget to drop by China Town to visit the Thien Hau Temple.

Despite its recent past, energy and optimism can be felt coming from locals and visitors alike. Many multinational companies have set up shop here, yet HCMC has retained its original Vietnamese dynamics.

Nearby, you’ll find wonderful beaches along the coast and sprawling mountains inland. No matter where you turn in HCMC, you’ll find the hospitality and charm coming from the city’s friendly people.

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The School

Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) is a cosmopolitan city where roughly seven million people mix and mingle every day. Still commonly referred to as “Saigon”, it has remained as the country’s hub for finance and business.

Come and experience a city where history and modernity exist side-by-side, as seen where skyscrapers exist next to faded colonial buildings. Despite the city’s modernization, HCMC’s traditional and cultural aspects are here to be found in a variety of pagodas and historical sites such as Reunification Hall, the Old Post Office and even Notre Dame Cathedral.

Vibrant nightlife in HCMC can be found inside the city’s numerous local and international bars and cafes which are centrally located in the city center. Cuisine here is superb and you can choose from Vietnamese and Chinese as well as French and other European fare.

TEFL Course Location in Ho Chi Minh City

TEFL International’s training center in HCMC is in very close proximity to a large number of banks, shops, parks and restaurants. There’s a backpacker area nearby where you can exchange travels stories and suggestions for future destinations. Food and drink is very affordable in this area.

School facilities include free internet, refreshments and well-equipped classrooms. All other teaching resources and materials will also be provided at no additional charge.

Our training staff is very experienced and dedicated. Trainers are always eager to help with any difficulties inside, or outside the classroom. They, as well as our local staff will do everything they can to ensure you’re able to complete the course successfully and ready to enter the classroom as a real ESL teacher. As such, HCMC is an ideal location for your TEFL course in Vietnam.

Accommodation

TEFL International offers you wide range of accommodation options in Ho Chi Minh City. Your choices range from up-scale hotels to basic guesthouses. Regardless of your budget, all rooms are clean and comfortable with a private bathroom and adequate furnishings. Once you confirm your place on the course by completing your deposit payment, you’ll be sent a long list of specific accommodation options.

Some of the options also offer our TEFL International trainees additional amenities such as cable television, drinking water and laundry facilities.

Course dates

2025

• 10 February 2025 - 7 March 2025
• 10 March 2025 - 4 April 2025
• 12 May 2025 - 6 June 2025
• 9 June 2025 - 4 July 2025
• 7 July 2025 - 1 August 2025
• 4 August 2025 - 29 August 2025
• 8 September 2025 - 3 October 2025
• 6 October 2025 - 31 October 2025
• 3 November 2025 - 28 November 2025
• 1 December 2025 - 26 December 2025

Course fees

The total price is divided into: deposit and balance.

The deposit may be paid via a) credit card b) Paypal c) wire transfer d) Western Union.

The balance of the course fee must be paid by cash, PayPal or bank transfer directly to the training center on the first day of the course.

 

Deposit
US$ 600

to be paid in advance

+

Balance
US$ 1090

to be paid on arrival

Accomodation Fees

The accommodation fees are not part of the course price and you are free to choose whichever accommodation option you prefer.

You are not obliged to use the accommodation provided by the school and you are welcome to make your own accommodation arrangements. If you choose to use our accommodation, it should be paid for either by cash, PayPal or bank transfer directly to the school at the start of the course.

Per Week
US$ 270

(to be paid on arrival)

Special offer for Ho Chi Minh:

Complimentary five-hour Vietnamese language course (available after completion of the TESOL course), focusing on basic communication skills and language relevant to the classroom environment. This is designed to facilitate smoother communication and integration for Ho Chi Minh graduates, especially those who may be new to the region or the language.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What are my payment options?

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  Course deposits must be paid to our administrative center. Credit/debit card payments are the fastest and cheapest way to pay, but we also accept payments via Western Union, Pay Pal and bank transfer. While there are no deadlines for a deposit, courses can fill up quickly and your seat will only be reserved after the deposit has been paid.

  Once you make your deposit, you will receive an email with an informational packet that provides detailed information about the course and Ho Chi Minh City itself.

  The final balance of the course fees can be paid on the day the course starts but only by credit/debit card, bank transfer or in cash.

  Course fees are all-inclusive so you won’t be asked to pay additional costs for course related materials or services. This also includes course moderation, accreditation fees and lifetime job assistance.

• What are my accommodation options?

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  We have a network of great hotels and guest houses near the training center and once you reserve your seat on the course, we will provide you with a detailed list of accommodation providers. Prices for accommodation vary from US$ 270 to US$ 450 per month.

  Ho Chi Minh City is a 20-minute taxi ride from the airport. A metered taxi charges approximately US$ 5 from Tan Son Nhat to the city center where our center is located.

• What travel documents will I need for vietnam?

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  All visitors to Vietnam are required to carry a passport valid for at least six months after their arrival date.

  Only nationals of Thailand, The Philippines, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Japan can stay in Vietnam for a maximum of 30 days without a visa. Citizens from all other countries must obtain a valid visa upon arriving in Vietnam.*

  * As this information is subject to change at any time, we advise you to contact your local consulate for current travel regulations prior to planning your trip. For more information on obtaining visas please check with your local Vietnamese consulate or embassy.

• What is the course schedule?

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  The course starts on Monday morning at 9:00 a.m. with the first class and orientation session. Trainees will also be provided with the complete course schedule on Monday morning. Sessions usually take place from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. with breaks included.

  Trainees are expected to attend all input and other sessions included on the schedule unless they are sick and require medical treatment. This is particularly important for teaching practice. It is very difficult to arrange alternate times and there will be an additional fee for rescheduled teaching practice.

• What can I expect during teaching practice?

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  Lessons are delivered to students aged 16 years and older. The vast majority of students are Vietnamese but other nationalities do attend some classes. Class sizes vary from one-to-one lessons up to 16 students. Lessons are based upon real teaching resources found all over the world and you will have the chance to create your own materials as well. You will receive the aid of your course trainer throughout lesson planning and receive immediate feedback on your lesson after it’s been delivered. Practicum is assessed and a satisfactory assessment is required to earn your TEFL/TESOL certificate.

• Who usually attends the course?

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  We average 24 trainees on each course. The majority of trainees are British or American, while many others come from Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Ireland, South Africa and the Philippines. Occasionally, we do get fluent non-native English speakers from Western Europe, Scandinavia, India, China, Thailand, etc. Trainees must be 18 years of age or older and the age range varies greatly depending on the course.

• Is there a dress code?

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  For all input and tutorial sessions at the training location, there is only one specific dress requirement: Both men and women should have a shirt covering their shoulders. The course operates from within a school so we ask you to be mindful of this, as well as being mindful of your peers and to respect the fact that you are a visitor in another country.

  During teaching practice there are specific requirements that adhere to the local dress code. All trainees are expected to dress professionally according to the following guidelines:

  Women: Shoulders should be covered, blouses with sleeves are suggested. No low-cut necklines, very short skirts or bare midriffs. Open-toed shoes are acceptable, but not hiking or flip-flop sandals.

  Men: Long pants, slacks or trousers are required, jeans are not acceptable. Short or long-sleeved shirts with a collar are necessary, although a tie is not required. Loafers or dress shoes are both fine, sandals are not acceptable. Long hair should always be tied back.

• What should I bring for course studies?

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  Please bring a pen and a notebook for taking notes during class. You may also want to bring a Dictaphone. It is not required equipment, but many trainees have commented that the possession of their recording device made the course easier for them. A laptop would also be particularly useful.